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Abstract:

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to
facilitate the combined registration in both the PS domain and the CS
domain. In response to an initial request for a combined registration for
a PS domain and a CS domain, a method may receive an indication that the
registration for one of the domains is successful but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful. The method may
prevent, in response to the indication that the registration for one
domain is successful but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful, another request for the combined registration for the PS
domain and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time following the
initial request. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product
are also provided.

Claims:

1. A method comprising: in response to an initial request for a combined
registration for a packet switched (PS) domain and a circuit switched
(CS) domain, receiving an indication that the registration for one of the
PS and CS domains is successful but that the registration for the other
one of the PS and CS domains is unsuccessful; and preventing, in response
to the indication, another request for the combined registration for the
PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time following
the initial request.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein receiving the indication that
the registration for one of the PS and CS domains is successful and that
the registration for the other one of the PS and CS domains is
unsuccessful comprises receiving the indication that the registration for
the PS domain is successful but that the registration for the CS domain
is unsuccessful and receiving an indication that the registration for the
CS domain is unsuccessful as a result of CS domain congestion.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein preventing another request
comprises actuating a timer that measures the predetermined period of
time.

4. A method according to claim 3 further comprising receiving an
indication that the timer is to be actuated.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the indication that the timer is
to be actuated is received in conjunction with the indication that the
registration for one of the PS and CS domains is successful but that the
registration for the other one of the PS and CS domains is unsuccessful.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the indication that the timer is
to be actuated includes a value for the timer that defines the
predetermined period of time.

7. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program
instructions stored therein with the computer-readable program
instructions comprising program instructions configured to perform the
method of claim 1.

8. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the
computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor,
cause the apparatus at least to: in response to an initial request for a
combined registration for a packet switched (PS) domain and a circuit
switched (CS) domain, receive an indication that the registration for one
of the PS and CS domains is successful but that the registration for the
other one of the PS and CS domains is unsuccessful; and prevent, in
response to the indication, another request for the combined registration
for the PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time
following the initial request.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause the apparatus to receive the indication that the
registration for one of the PS and CS domains is successful and that the
registration for the other one of the PS and CS domains is unsuccessful
by receiving the indication that the registration for the PS domain is
successful but that the registration for the CS domain is unsuccessful
and receiving an indication that the registration for the CS domain is
unsuccessful as a result of CS domain congestion.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause the apparatus to prevent another request by actuating a
timer that measures the predetermined period of time.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 the at least one memory and the
computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause the apparatus to receive an indication that the timer is
to be actuated.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the indication that the
timer is to be actuated is received in conjunction with the indication
that the registration for one of the PS and CS domains is successful but
that the registration for the other one of the PS and CS domains is
unsuccessful.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the indication that the
timer is to be actuated includes a value for the timer that defines the
predetermined period of time.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the apparatus is embodied
by a mobile terminal.

15. An apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a communication
interface configured to communicate with the at least one processor.

16. A method comprising: receiving an initial request for a combined
registration for a packet switched (PS) domain and a circuit switched
(CS) domain; determining that the registration for one of the PS and CS
domains is successful but that the registration for the other one of the
PS and CS domains is unsuccessful; and causing an indication to be
provided that: (i) the registration for one of the PS and CS domains is
successful but that the registration for the other one of the PS and CS
domains is unsuccessful and (ii) a timer is to be actuated so as to
prevent another request for the combined registration for the PS domain
and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time following the
initial request.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein receiving the indication that
the registration for one of the PS and CS domains is successful but that
the registration for the other one of the PS and CS domains is
unsuccessful comprises receiving the indication that the registration for
the PS domain is successful but that the registration for the CS domain
is unsuccessful and receiving an indication that the registration for the
CS domain is unsuccessful as a result of CS domain congestion.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the indication that the timer
is to be actuated includes a value for the timer that defines the
predetermined period of time.

19. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program
instructions stored therein with the computer-readable program
instructions comprising program instructions configured to perform the
method of claim 16.

20. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the
computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor,
cause the apparatus at least to: receive an initial request for a
combined registration for a packet switched (PS) domain and a circuit
switched (CS) domain; determine that the registration for one of the PS
and CS domains is successful but that the registration for the other one
of the PS and CS domains is unsuccessful; and cause an indication to be
provided that: (i) the registration for one of the PS and CS domains is
successful but that the registration for the other one of the PS and CS
domains is unsuccessful and (ii) a timer is to be actuated so as to
prevent another request for the combined registration for the PS domain
and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time following the
initial request.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the at least one memory
and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one
processor, cause the apparatus to receive the indication that the
registration for one of the PS and CS domains is successful but that the
registration for the other one of the PS and CS domains is unsuccessful
by receiving the indication that the registration for the PS domain is
successful but that the registration for the CS domain is unsuccessful
and by receiving an indication that the registration for the CS domain is
unsuccessful as a result of CS domain congestion.

22. An apparatus according claim 20 wherein the indication that the timer
is to be actuated includes a value for the timer that defines the
predetermined period of time.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the apparatus is embodied
by an access point.

24. An apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising a communication
interface configured to communicate with the at least one processor.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/680,027, filed Aug. 6, 2012, the
entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0002] An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to
a combined registration in the packet switched (PS) and circuit switched
(CS) domains and, more particularly, to congestion control during the
combined registration.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In some instances, a mobile terminal may request a combined
registration in both the PS domain and the CS domain. For example, for
global multi-media mobility (GMM) or mobility management (MM), a mobile
terminal, such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a
laptop computer or the like, may initiate a combined parallel
registration for both the PS domain and the CS domain. In some instances,
particularly for lower priority requests, the network may determine that
at least one of the domains is congested such that the registration for
the respective domain is unsuccessful. In this regard, the network may
detect GMM or MM signaling congestion and perform non-access stratum
(NAS) level mobility management congestion control. PS domain NAS level
mobility management congestion control may consist of general NAS level
mobility management congestion control and subscribed access point name
(APN) based congestion control. CS domain NAS level mobility management
congestion control may consist of general NAS level mobility management
congestion control.

[0004] In an instance in which the PS domain is not congested, but the CS
domain is congested, the network may indicate to the mobile terminal, in
response to a request for a combined registration for the PS and CS
domains, that the registration is successful for the PS domain only, but
may indicate that the registration for the CS domain is restricted or
unsuccessful due to congestion in the CS domain. In this regard, the
network may provide a cause code to the mobile terminal indicating that
the registration to the CS domain is restricted due to congestion. The
mobile terminal may then repeatedly regenerate the request for a combined
registration for both the PS domain and the CS domain in an effort to
obtain a successful registration for both the PS domain and the CS
domain. However, the registration procedure that is regenerated by the
mobile terminal initiates a registration procedure for both the PS domain
and the CS domain even though the registration for the PS domain was
already successful, thereby disadvantageously increasing the PS signaling
and congesting the PS domain as a result of the registration failure in
the CS domain.

[0005] The mobile terminal may regenerate the registration procedure up to
a predefined number of times, such as up to five times before initiating
a timer that then prevents the mobile terminal from again requesting the
combined registration until the timer has expired. However, prior to this
point, the repeated regeneration of the registration procedure may
disadvantageously increase the PS signaling and further congest the PS
domain due to a failure, not within the PS domain, but within the CS
domain.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided
according to one embodiment of the present invention in order to
facilitate the combined registration in both the PS domain and the CS
domain. In this regard, the method, apparatus and computer program
product of an example embodiment may respond to an indication that the
registration in one of the domains, such as the PS domain, is successful,
but that the registration in the other domain, such as the CS domain, is
unsuccessful in a manner that controls the regeneration of the
registration request so as not to increase the signaling in and further
congest the domain in which the registration was successful to such a
degree as in the past. Thus, the method, apparatus and computer program
product of an example embodiment may ensure that congestion in one domain
does not undesirably increase congestion in another domain as a result of
the combined registration process. Moreover, the method, apparatus and
computer program product of an example embodiment are backwards
compatible so as to work with prior models of mobile terminals.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method is provided that, in response to an
initial request for a combined registration for a PS domain and a CS
domain, receives an indication that the registration for one of the
domains is successful but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful. The method of this embodiment also prevents, in response to
the indication that the registration for one domain is successful but
that the registration for the other domain is unsuccessful, another
request for the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain
for a predetermined period of time following the initial request.

[0008] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at
least one processor and at least one memory including computer program
code with the memory and the computer program code configured to, with
the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive, in
response to an initial request for a combined registration for a PS
domain and a CS domain, an indication that the registration for one of
the domains is successful but that the registration for the other domain
is unsuccessful. The at least one memory and computer program code of
this embodiment are also configured to, with the at least one processor,
cause the apparatus to prevent, in response to receipt of the indication
that the registration for one domain is successful but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful, another request for
the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain for a
predetermined period of time following the initial request.

[0009] In a further embodiment, a computer program product is provided
that includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium having computer-readable program instructions stored therein with
the computer-readable program instructions including program instructions
configured to receive, in response to an initial request for a combined
registration for a PS domain and a CS domain, an indication that the
registration for one of the domains is successful but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful. The computer-readable
program instructions of this embodiment also include program instructions
configured to prevent, in response to receipt of the indication that the
registration for one domain is successful but that the registration for
the other domain is unsuccessful, another request for the combined
registration for the PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined
period of time following the initial request.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes
means for receiving, in response to an initial request for a combined
registration for a PS domain and a CS domain, an indication that the
registration for one of the domains is successful but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful. The apparatus of this
embodiment also includes means for preventing, in response to receipt of
the indication that the registration for one domain is successful but
that the registration for the other domain is unsuccessful, another
request for the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain
for a predetermined period of time following the initial request.

[0011] In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving an
initial request for a combined registration for a PS domain and a CS
domain and determining that the registration for one of the domains is
successful but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful. The method of this embodiment also causes an indication to
be provided that: (i) the registration for one of the domains is
successful, but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful, and (ii) a timer is to be actuated so as to prevent another
request for the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain
for a predetermined period of time following the initial request.

[0012] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at
least one processor and at least one memory including computer program
code with the memory and the computer program code configured to, with
the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive an
initial request for a combined registration for a PS domain and a CS
domain and to determine that the registration for one of the domains is
successful, but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful. The at least one memory and computer program code of this
embodiment are also configured to, with the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to cause an indication to be provided that: (i) the
registration for one of the domains is successful, but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful, and (ii) a timer is to
be actuated so as to prevent another request for the combined
registration for the PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined
period of time following the initial request.

[0013] In a further embodiment, a computer program product is provided and
includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
having computer-readable program instructions stored therein with the
computer-readable program instructions including program instructions
configured to receive an initial request for a combined registration for
a PS domain and a CS domain and to determine that the registration for
one of the domains is successful, but that the registration for the other
domain is unsuccessful. The computer-readable program instructions of
this embodiment also include program instructions configured to cause an
indication to be provided that: (i) the registration for one of the
domains is successful, but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful, and (ii) a timer is to be actuated so as to prevent another
request for the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain
for a predetermined period of time following the initial request.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes
means for receiving an initial request for a combined registration for a
PS domain and a CS domain and means for determining that the registration
for one of the domains is successful, but that the registration for the
other domain is unsuccessful. The apparatus of this embodiment also
includes means for causing an indication to be provided that: (i) the
registration for one of the domains is successful, but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful, and (ii) a timer is to
be actuated so as to prevent another request for the combined
registration for the PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined
period of time following the initial request.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present
invention in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the
accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system that may support
the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be embodied by a
mobile terminal or a network entity, such as an access point, and that
may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment
of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by an
apparatus embodied by a mobile terminal and specifically configured in
accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the operations performed by an
apparatus embodied by a network entity, such as an access point, and
specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the
present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all
embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited
to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0021] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of
the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as
implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to
combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as
applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of
processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software,
and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a
mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to
circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a
microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even
if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0022] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in
this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used
in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an
implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion
of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.
The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to
the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or
application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar
integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network
device.

[0023] A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in
accordance with an example embodiment in order to provide for the
combined registration in both the PS domain and the CS domain in a manner
that does not unnecessarily increase the congestion in one of the domains
in which the registration is successful in response to an indication that
the registration was unsuccessful in the other domain. Although the
method, apparatus and computer program product may be implemented in a
variety of different system architectures, one example of a system that
may be specifically configured in order to implement an example
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, a system that supports communications
between a plurality of mobile terminals 10 (one of which is illustrated
by way of example) and a network 14, such as an 802.11 network, a Long
Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, a Global
Systems for Mobile communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA) network, e.g., a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, a CDMA2000
network or the like, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network or
other type of network, via an access point 12 is shown. Various types of
mobile terminals may be employed including, for example, mobile
communication devices such as, for example, mobile telephones,
smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptop
computers, tablet computers or any of numerous other hand held or
portable communication devices, computation devices, content generation
devices, content consumption devices, or combinations thereof. Regardless
of the type of mobile terminal, the mobile terminal may communicate with
the network via an access point, such as a base station, a Node B, an
evolved Node B (eNB), a relay node or other type of access point.

[0025] The mobile terminal 10 and a network entity, such as the access
point 12, may each embody or otherwise be associated with an apparatus 20
that is generally depicted in FIG. 2 and that may be configured to
perform various operations in accordance with an example embodiment of
the present invention as described below, such as in conjunction with
FIG. 3 from the perspective of the mobile terminal and FIG. 4 from the
perspective of a network entity, such as the access point. However, it
should be noted that the components, devices or elements described below
may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments.
Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different
components, devices or elements beyond those shown and described herein.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 20 may include or otherwise be in
communication with a processing system including, for example, processing
circuitry 22 that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with
example embodiments described herein. The processing circuitry may be
configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other
processing and management services according to an example embodiment of
the present invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus or the
processing circuitry may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other
words, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may comprise one or more
physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or
wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural
assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or
limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included
thereon. The apparatus or the processing circuitry may therefore, in some
cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention
on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some
cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more
operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0027] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 22 may include a
processor 24 and memory 26 that may be in communication with or otherwise
control a communication interface 28 and, in some cases in which the
apparatus is embodied by the mobile terminal 10, a user interface 30. As
such, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g.,
an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or
a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described
herein. However, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be
embodied as a portion of mobile terminal or the access point.

[0028] The user interface 30 (if implemented in embodiments of the
apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10) may be in communication
with the processing circuitry 22 to receive an indication of a user input
at the user interface and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or
other output to the user. As such, the user interface may include, for
example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a
microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. In one
embodiment, the user interface includes user interface circuitry
configured to facilitate at least some functions of the station by
receiving user input and providing output.

[0029] The communication interface 28 may include one or more interface
mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks.
In some cases, the communication interface may be any means such as a
device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of
hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data
from/to a network 14 and/or any other device or module in communication
with the processing circuitry 22, such as between the mobile terminal 10
and the access point 12. In this regard, the communication interface may
include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting
hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless
communication network and/or a communication modem or other
hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital
subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other
methods.

[0030] In an example embodiment, the memory 26 may include one or more
non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or
non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory may
be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or
the like for enabling the apparatus 20 to carry out various functions in
accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For
example, the memory could be configured to buffer input data for
processing by the processor 24. Additionally or alternatively, the memory
could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor.
As yet another alternative, the memory may include one of a plurality of
databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among
the contents of the memory, applications may be stored for execution by
the processor in order to carry out the functionality associated with
each respective application. In some cases, the memory may be in
communication with the processor via a bus for passing information among
components of the apparatus.

[0031] The processor 24 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For
example, the processor may be embodied as various processing means such
as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a
coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing
devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC
(application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable
gate array), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor may be
configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 26 or otherwise
accessible to the processor. As such, whether configured by hardware or
by a combination of hardware and software, the processor may represent an
entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry--in the form of processing
circuitry) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of
the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example,
when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the
processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the
operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the
processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the
instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the
operations described herein.

[0032] As noted above, FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating the
operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product,
such as apparatus 20 of FIG. 2, from the perspective of the mobile
terminal 10 and a network entity, such as the access point 12,
respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations
of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as
hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other device associated
with execution of software including one or more computer program
instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above
may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the
computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above
may be stored by a memory 26 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of
the present invention and executed by a processor 24 of the apparatus. As
will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded
onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to
produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable
apparatus provides for implementation of the functions specified in the
flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored
in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a
computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which
implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer
program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other
programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on
the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a
computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on
the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for
implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. As such,
the operations of FIGS. 3 and 4, when executed, convert a computer or
processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an
example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations
of FIGS. 3 and 4 define an algorithm for configuring a computer or
processing circuitry 22, e.g., processor, to perform an example
embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided
with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithm of FIGS. 3
and 4 to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine
configured to perform an example embodiment.

[0033] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means
for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for
performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one
or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the
flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer
systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special
purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0034] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be
modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in some
embodiments additional optional operations may also be included as shown,
for example by the dashed lines in FIG. 3. It should be appreciated that
each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications below may
be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with
any others among the features described herein.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, the operations performed by a method,
apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment are
illustrated from the perspective of an apparatus 20 that may be embodied
by or otherwise associated with a mobile terminal 10. In an instance in
which a mobile terminal desires to have access to and utilize both the PS
domain and the CS domain, such as in conjunction with GMM or MM or in
instances in which the PS domain is utilized to access CS services, e.g.
short message service (SMS) or CS speech services, the apparatus may
include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the
communications interface 28 or the like, for causing an initial request
for a combined registration for both the PS domain and the CS domain to
be issued to the network 14, such as to the access point 12 with which
the mobile terminal is in communication. See block 40 of FIG. 3. In this
regard, the initial request for a combined registration for the PS domain
and the CS domain is a request that is initiated by the mobile terminal
that is not in response to a prior request for a combined registration in
the PS domain and the CS domain that has been successful, if at all, for
only one of the domains, such as the PS domain, but not for the other
domain, such as the CS domain. As such, the initial request for combined
registration is not a regenerated registration request that follows an
indication that a prior request for one of the domains, such as the PS
domain, was successful, but that the registration for the other domain,
such as the CS domain, was unsuccessful.

[0036] In response to the initial request for the combined registration
for the PS domain and the CS domain, the apparatus 20 embodied by the
mobile terminal 10 may include means, such as the processing circuitry
22, the processor 24, the communications interface 28 or the like, for
receiving an indication that the registration for one of the domains,
such as the PS domain, is successful but that the registration for the
other domain, such as the CS domain, is unsuccessful. See block 42 of
FIG. 3. In other words, the apparatus embodied by the mobile terminal may
receive an indication that the registration is successful for only one of
the domains, e.g., the PS domain registration is successful and the CS
domain registration is unsuccessful. The indication that the registration
for one of the domains, e.g., the PS domain, is successful may be
provided via an accept message, e.g. ATTACH ACCEPT, RAU ACCEPT, TAU
ACCEPT, etc. In this regard, the mobile terminal may receive the
indication that the registration for one domain is successful, but that
the registration for the other domain is unsuccessful from the network
14, such as from the access point 12 with which the mobile terminal is in
communication. The registration for one of the domains, such as the CS
domain, may be unsuccessful due to congestion within the respective
domain. In this regard, requests that are considered to be of a lower
priority by the network may more frequently be unsuccessful as a result
of the network congestion due to the network's servicing of other
requests that are considered to be a higher priority.

[0037] In addition to receiving the indication that the registration for
one domain, such as the PS domain, is successful but that the
registration for the other domain, such as the CS domain, is
unsuccessful, the apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10 of one
embodiment may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the
processor 24, the communications interface 28 or the like, for also
receiving an indication as to the cause of the unsuccessful registration,
such as by receiving an indication that the registration for one of the
domains, such as the CS domain, is unsuccessful as a result of congestion
within the respective domain. Thus, the indication that is received by
the mobile terminal may not only indicate that the registration for one
of the domains is unsuccessful, but may provide a cause for the
unsuccessful registration which, in some instances, may be attributable
to the congestion in the respective domain.

[0038] As shown in block 46 of FIG. 3, the apparatus 20 embodied by the
mobile terminal 10 may also include means, such as the processing
circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 28 or the
like, for preventing another request for the combined registration for
the PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time
following the initial request in an instance in which an indication is
received by the mobile terminal that the registration for one of the
domains is successful but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful. By preventing another request for the combined registration
for the PS domain and the CS domain for a predetermined period of time
following the receipt of an indication, triggered by the initial request,
that the registration for one domain is successful, but that the
registration for the other domain is unsuccessful, the mobile terminal
may be prevented from consuming additional resources within the domain in
which the registration was successful in an effort to successfully
register with the other domain for which the registration was
unsuccessful.

[0039] The apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10 may measure the
predetermined period of time during which another request is prevented in
various manners including, for example, with a timer. In this regard, the
processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, may include a
timer that is configured to measure the predetermined period of time. In
this embodiment, the apparatus embodied by the mobile terminal may
prevent another request by including means, such as the processing
circuitry, the processor, the communications interface 28 or the like,
for actuating the timer that measures the predetermined period of time in
response to the receipt of the indication that the registration for one
of the domains is successful but that the registration for the other
domain is unsuccessful. In one embodiment, the apparatus embodied by the
mobile terminal may also include means, such as the processing circuitry,
the processor, the communications interface or the like, for receiving an
indication, such as a T3246 information element (IE) from the network 10
and, more particularly, from a network entity, such as the access point
12, that the timer is to be actuated. See block 44 of FIG. 3. In response
to the receipt of the indication that the timer is to be actuated, the
apparatus embodied by the mobile terminal, such as the processing
circuitry, the processor or the like, may actuate the timer to measure
the predetermined period of time during which the request for the
combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain is prevented.

[0040] In one embodiment, the indication that the timer is to be actuated
may be received in conjunction with the indication that the registration
for one of the domains is successful but that the registration for the
other domain is unsuccessful. In this regard, the mobile terminal 10 may
receive a message that includes both the indication that the registration
for one of the domains is successful but that the registration for the
other domain is unsuccessful as well as an indication that the timer is
to be actuated. In one embodiment, the indication that the timer is to be
actuated also includes a value for the timer that defines the
predetermined period of time. As such, the network 14, such as a network
entity, e.g., the access point 12, may define the period of time during
which the mobile terminal is prevented from issuing another request for
the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain. The
message that includes the indication that the registration for one of the
domains is successful but that the registration for the other domain is
unsuccessful as well as the indication that the timer is to be actuated
may also include an indication as to the cause for the unsuccessful
registration, such as an indication that the registration for one of the
domains is unsuccessful as a result of congestion within the respective
domain.

[0041] Thus, the mobile terminal 10 of one embodiment may avoid
consumption of resources in a domain in which registration was successful
in an effort to successfully register in another domain in which the
registration was initially unsuccessful, such as due to congestion. In
this regard, in response to a request for the combined registration in
the PS domain and the CS domain, the mobile terminal may receive an
indication that the registration in one domain, such as the PS domain, is
successful, but that the registration in the other domain, such as the CS
domain, is unsuccessful and, in some embodiments, may receive an
indication as to the cause of the unsuccessful registration and/or an
indication that a timer is to be actuated. In response to receipt of the
indication that the registration in one domain, such as the PS domain, is
successful, but that the registration in the other domain, such as the CS
domain, is unsuccessful, the mobile terminal may prevent another request
for the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain,
following the initial request, for a predetermined period of time, such
as measured by the timer. As such, the mobile terminal may prevent
consumption of additional resources and an increase in the congestion in
the domain in which the registration was successful in an effort to
register in the other domain for which the registration was initially
unsuccessful due to, for example, congestion.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 4 from the perspective of a network entity,
such as the access point 12, with which the mobile terminal 10 is in
communication, the apparatus 20 embodied by the network entity, such as
the access point, may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22,
the processor 24, the communications interface 28 or the like, for
receiving an initial request for a combined registration for the PS
domain and the CS domain. See block 50 of FIG. 4. The apparatus embodied
by the network entity, such as the access point, may also include means
for determining that the registration for one of the domains, such as the
PS domain, is successful, but that the registration in the other domain,
such as the CS domain, is unsuccessful. See block 52. In this regard, the
network entity, such as the access point, may make this determination
based upon its consideration of the congestion of the PS domain and the
CS domain as well as, in some embodiments, the relative priority of the
request that has been provided by the mobile terminal. In other
embodiments, the network entity, such as the access point, may transmit
the request for the combined registration to another entity within the
network 14 and may receive, in response, an indication as to whether the
registration for the PS domain and the CS domain is successful for both
domains, for one domain or for neither domain. In this embodiment, the
receipt and the interpretation of response from another network entity as
to whether the request for a combined registration for the PS domain and
the CS domain and, in one embodiment, the determination that the
registration for one of the domains, such as the PS domain, is
successful, but that the registration for the other domain, such as the
CS domain, is unsuccessful comprises a determination as set forth in
block 52 of FIG. 4.

[0043] The apparatus 20 embodied by the network entity, such as the access
point 12, may also include means, such as a the processing circuitry 22,
the processor 24, the communications interface 28 or the like, for
causing an indication to be provided to the mobile terminal 10 that the
registration for one of the domains, such as the PS domain, is successful
but that the registration for the other domain, such as the CS domain, is
unsuccessful. See block 54 of FIG. 4. In other words, the apparatus
embodied by the network entity, such as the access point, may cause an
indication to be provided that the registration is successful for only
one of the domains, e.g., the PS domain registration is successful and
the CS domain registration is unsuccessful. The indication provided by
the network entity, such as the access point, such as a T3246 IE, may
also indicate that a timer is to be actuated so as to prevent another
request for the combined registration for the PS domain and the CS domain
for a predetermined period to time following the initial request. In this
regard, the predetermined period of time may be defined by the timer.
Indeed, the indication that the timer is to be actuated that is provided
by the network entity, such as the access point, may include a value for
the timer that defines the predetermined period of time. While the value
of the timer may be predefined, the value of the timer may depend, for
example, upon the level of congestion within the domain, such as the CS
domain, for which the registration was unsuccessful with greater levels
of congestion causing the value of the timer to be greater and lower
levels of congestion causing the value of the timer to be less, e.g., the
value of the timer may be proportional or otherwise vary directly in
regards to the level of congestion within the respective domain.

[0044] In addition to indicating that the registration for one of the
domains, such as the PS domain, is successful and that the registration
for the other domain, such as the CS domain, is unsuccessful and
indicating that a timer is to be actuated to measure the predetermined
period of time for which another request for the combined registration
for the PS domain and the CS domain is to be prevented following the
initial request, the indication that is provided by the network entity,
such as the access point 12, may also indicate the reason for the
unsuccessful registration, such as by providing an indication that the
registration for one of the domains, such as the CS domain, was
unsuccessful as a result of congestion within the respective domain.
Based upon the indication provided by the network entity, such as the
access point, in an instance in which an initial request for a combined
registration for the PS domain and the CS domain leads to the
registration of one domain, such as the PS domain, being successful but
the registration for the other domain, such as the CS domain, being
unsuccessful, the mobile terminal 10 may be prevented from issuing
another request for the combined registration for the PS domain and the
CS domain for the predetermined period of time, such as defined by the
timer, following the initial request. As such, the mobile terminal and
the network, such as the access point, may cooperate so as to avoid
repeated requests for the combined registration for the PS domain and the
CS domain in an instance in which the registration for one of the
domains, such as the PS domain, is successful but the registration for
the other domain, such as the CS domain, is unsuccessful which would
otherwise undesirably consume resources, such as signaling resources, in
the domain for which the registration was successful in an effort to
successfully register in the domain that was at least initially
unsuccessful.

[0045] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set
forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these
inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to
be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are
intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings
describe example embodiments in the context of certain example
combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that
different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by
alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended
claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements
and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also
contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although
specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Patent applications by Marko Tapani Niemi, Oulu FI

Patent applications by Renesas Mobile Corporation

Patent applications in class Control of data admission to the network

Patent applications in all subclasses Control of data admission to the network